"Dance！dance！"criedhejoyously。"Ifwetakebreath，weshallbeaswewereyesterday。There，now，isthemusic，justbeyondthisclumpoftrees。Dance，Miriam，dance！"

Theyhadnowreachedanopen，grassyglade(ofwhichtherearemanyinthatartfullyconstructedwilderness)，setroundwithstoneseats，onwhichtheagedmosshadkindlyessayedtospreaditselfinsteadofcushions。Ononeofthestonebenchessatthemusicians，whosestrainshadenticedourwildcouplethitherward。Theyprovedtobeavagrantband，suchasRome，andallItaly，aboundswith；comprisingaharp，aflute，andaviolin，which，thoughgreatlytheworseforwear，theperformershadskillenoughtoprovokeandmodulateintotolerableharmony。Itchancedtobeafeast-day；and，insteadofplayinginthesun-scorchedpiazzasofthecity，orbeneaththewindowsofsomeunresponsivepalace，theyhadbethoughtthemselvestotrytheechoesofthesewoods；for，onthefestasoftheChurch，Romescattersitsmerrymakersallabroad，ripeforthedanceoranyotherpastime。

AsMiriamandDonatelloemergedfromamongthetrees，themusiciansscraped，tinkled，orblew，eachaccordingtohisvariouskindofinstrument，moreinspiringlythanever。Adarkcheckedlittlegirl，withbrightblackeyes，stoodby，shakingatambourinesetroundwithtinklingbells，andthumpingitonitsparchmenthead。Withoutinterruptinghisbrisk，thoughmeasuredmovement，Donatellosnatchedawaythisunmelodiouscontrivance，and，flourishingitabovehishead，producedmusicofindescribablepotency，stilldancingwithfriskystep，andstrikingthetambourine，andringingitslittlebells，allinonejovialact。

Itmightbethattherewasmagicinthesound，orcontagion，atleast，inthespiritwhichhadgotpossessionofMiriamandhimself，forverysoonanumberoffestalpeopleweredrawntothespot，andstruckintothedance，singlyorinpairs，asiftheywereallgonemadwithjollity。AmongthemweresomeoftheplebeiandamselswhomwemeetbareheadedintheRomanstreets，withsilverstilettosthrustthroughtheirglossyhair；thecontadinas，too，fromtheCampagnaandthevillages，withtheirrichandpicturesquecostumesofscarletandallbrighthues，suchasfairermaidensmightnotventuretoputon。ThencamethemodernRomanfromTrastevere，perchance，withhisoldcloakdrawnabouthimlikeatoga，whichanon，ashisactivemotionheatedhim，heflungaside。ThreeFrenchsoldierscaperedfreelyintothethrong，inwidescarlettrousers，theirshortswordsdanglingattheirsides；andthreeGermanartistsingrayflaccidhatsandflauntingbeards；andoneofthePope'sSwissguardsmeninthestrangemotleygarbwhichMichaelAngelocontrivedforthem。TwoyoungEnglishtourists(oneofthemalord)tookcontadinepartnersanddashedin，asdidalsoashaggymaningoat-skinbreeches，wholookedlikerusticPaninperson，andfooteditasmerrilyashe。BesidestheabovetherewasaherdsmanortwofromtheCampagna，andafewpeasantsinsky-bluejackets，andsmall-clothestiedwithribbonsattheknees；

haggardandsallowweretheselast，poorserfs，havinglittletoeatandnothingbutthemalariatobreathe；butstilltheypluckedupamomentaryspiritandjoinedhandsinDonatello'sdance。

Here，asitseemed，hadtheGoldenAgecomebackagainwithinthePrecinctsofthissunnyglade，thawingmankindoutoftheircoldformalities，releasingthemfromirksomerestraint，minglingthemtogetherinsuchchildlikegayetythatnewflowers(ofwhichtheoldbosomoftheearthisfull)sprangupbeneaththeirfootsteps。Thesoleexceptiontothegenialityofthemoment，aswehaveunderstood，wasseeninacountrymanofourown，whosneeredatthespectacle，anddeclinedtocompromisehisdignitybymakingpartofit。

Theharperthrummedwithrapidfingers；theviolinplayerflashedhisbowbackandforthacrossthestrings；theflautistpouredhisbreathinquickpuffsofjollity，whileDonatelloshookthetambourineabovehishead，andledthemerrythrongwithunweariablesteps。Astheyfollowedoneanotherinawildringofmirth，itseemedtherealizationofoneofthosebas-reliefswhereadanceofnymphs，satyrs，orbacchanalsistwinedaroundthecircleofanantiquevase；oritwaslikethesculpturedsceneonthefrontandsidesofasarcophagus，where，asoftenasanyotherdevice，afestiveprocessionmockstheashesandwhitebonesthataretreasuredupwithin。Youmighttakeitforamarriagepageant；butafterawhile，ifyoulookatthesemerry-makers，followingthemfromendtoendofthemarblecoffin，youdoubtwhethertheirgaymovementisleadingthemtoahappyclose。Ayouthhassuddenlyfalleninthedance；achariotisoverturnedandbroken，flingingthecharioteerheadlongtotheground；amaidenseemstohavegrownfaintorweary，andisdroopingonthebosomofafriend。Alwayssometragicincidentisshadowedforthorthrustsidelongintothespectacle；andwhenonceithascaughtyoureyeyoucanlooknomoreatthefestalportionsofthescene，exceptwithreferencetothisoneslightlysuggesteddoomandsorrow。

Asinitsmirth，sointhedarkercharacteristicherealludedto，therewasananalogybetweenthesculpturedsceneonthesarcophagusandthewilddancewhichwehavebeendescribing。InthemidstofitsmadnessandriotMiriamfoundherselfsuddenlyconfrontedbyastrangefigurethatshookitsfantasticgarmentsintheair，andprancedbeforeheronitstiptoes，almostvyingwiththeagilityofDonatellohimself。Itwasthemodel。

AmomentafterwardsDonatellowasawarethatshehadretiredfromthedance。Hehastenedtowardsher，andflunghimselfonthegrassbesidethestonebenchonwhichMiriamwassitting。Butastrangedistanceandunapproachablenesshadallatonceenvelopedher；andthoughhesawherwithinreachofhisarm，yetthelightofhereyesseemedasfaroffasthatofastar，norwasthereanywarmthinthemelancholysmilewithwhichsheregardedhim。

"Comeback！"criedhe。"Whyshouldthishappyhourendsosoon？"

"Itmustendhere，Donatello，"saidshe，inanswertohiswordsandoutstretchedhand；"andsuchhours，Ibelieve，donotoftenrepeatthemselvesinalifetime。Letmego，myfriend；letmevanishfromyouquietlyamongtheshadowsofthesetrees。See，thecompanionsofourpastimearevanishingalready！"

Whetheritwasthattheharp-stringswerebroken，theviolinoutoftune，ortheflautistoutofbreath，soitchancedthatthemusichadceased，andthedancerscomeabruptlytoapause。Allthatmotleythrongofrioterswasdissolvedassuddenlyasithadbeendrawntogether。InMiriam'sremembrancethescenehadacharacteroffantasy。Itwasasifacompanyofsatyrs，fauns，andnymphs，withPaninthemidstofthem，hadbeendisportingthemselvesinthesevenerablewoodsonlyamomentago；andnowinanothermoment，becausesomeprofaneeyehadlookedatthemtooclosely，orsomeintruderhadcastashadowontheirmirth，thesylvanpageanthadutterlydisappeared。Ifafewofthemerry-makerslingeredamongthetrees，theyhadhiddentheirracypeculiaritiesunderthegarbandaspectofordinarypeople，andshelteredthemselvesinthewearycommonplaceofdailylife。JustaninstantbeforeitwasArcadiaandtheGoldenAge。Thespellbeingbroken，itwasnowonlythatoldtractofpleasureground，closebythepeople'sgat：eofRome，——atractwherethecrimesandcalamitiesofages，themanybattles，bloodrecklesslypouredout，anddeathsofmyriads，havecorruptedallthesoil，creatinganinfluencethatmakestheairdeadlytohumanlungs。

"Youmustleaveme，"saidMiriamtoDonatellomoreimperativelythanbefore；"haveInotsaidit？Go；andlooknotbehindyou。"

"Miriam，"whisperedDonatello，graspingherhandforcibly，"whoisitthatstandsintheshadowyonder，beckoningyoutofollowhim？"

"Hush；leaveme！"repeatedMiriam。"Yourhourispast；hishourhascome。"

Donatellostillgazedinthedirectionwhichhehadindicated，andtheexpressionofhisfacewasfearfullychanged，beingsodisordered，perhapswithterror，——atalleventswithangerandinvinciblerepugnance，——thatMiriamhardlyknewhim。Hislipsweredrawnapartsoastodisclosehissetteeth，thusgivinghimalookofanimalrage，whichweseldomseeexceptinpersonsofthesimplestandrudestnatures。Ashudderseemedtopassthroughhisverybones。

"Ihatehim！"mutteredhe。

"Besatisfied；Ihatehimtoo！"saidMiriam。

Shehadnothoughtofmakingthisavowal，butwasirresistiblydrawntoitbythesympathyofthedarkemotioninherownbreastwiththatsostronglyexpressedbyDonatello。Twodropsofwaterorofblooddonotmorenaturallyflowintoeachotherthandidherhatredintohis。

"ShallIclutchhimbythethroat？"whisperedDonatello，withasavagescowl。"Bidmedoso，andweareridofhimforever。"

"InHeaven'sname，noviolence！"exclaimedMiriam，affrightedoutofthescornfulcontrolwhichshehadhithertoheldoverhercompanion，bythefiercenessthathesosuddenlydeveloped。"O，havepityonme，Donatello，iffornothingelse，yetbecauseinthemidstofmywretchednessIletmyselfbeyourplaymateforthisonewildhour！Followmenofarther。

Henceforthleavemetomydoom。Dearfriend，——kind，simple，lovingfriend，——makemenotmorewretchedbytheremembranceofhavingthrownfiercehatesorlovesintothewellspringofyourhappylife！"

"Notfollowyou！"repeatedDonatello，soothedfromangerintosorrow，lessbythepurportofwhatshesaid，thanbythemelancholysweetnessofhervoice，——"notfollowyou！WhatotherpathhaveI？"

"Wewilltalkofitonceagain，"saidMiriamstillsoothingly；

"soon——to-morrowwhenyouwill；onlyleavemenow。"

CHAPTERXI

FRAGMENTARYSENTENCES

IntheBorgheseGrove，sorecentlyuproariouswithmerrimentandmusic，thereremainedonlyMiriamandherstrangefollower。

Asolitudehadsuddenlyspreaditselfaroundthem。Itperhapssymbolizedapeculiarcharacterintherelationofthesetwo，insulatingthem，andbuildingupaninsuperablebarrierbetweentheirlife-streamsandothercurrents，whichmightseemtoflowinclosevicinity。Foritisoneofthechiefearthlyincommoditiesofsomespeciesofmisfortune，orofagreatcrime，thatitmakestheactorintheone，orthesuffereroftheother，analienintheworld，byinterposingawhollyunsympatheticmediumbetwixthimselfandthosewhomheyearnstomeet。

Owing，itmaybe，tothismoralestrangement，——thischillremotenessoftheirposition，——therehavecometousbutafewvaguewhisperingsofwhatpassedinMiriam'sinterviewthatafternoonwiththesinisterpersonagewhohaddoggedherfootstepseversincethevisittothecatacomb。Inweavingthesemysticutterancesintoacontinuousscene，weundertakeataskresemblinginitsperplexitythatofgatheringupandpiecingtogetherthefragmentsoraletterwhichhasbeentornandscatteredtothewinds。Manywordsofdeepsignificance，manyentiresentences，andthosepossiblythemostimportantones，haveflowntoofaronthewingedbreezetoberecovered。Ifweinsertourownconjecturalamendments，weperhapsgiveapurportutterlyatvariancewiththetrueone。Yetunlessweattemptsomethinginthisway，theremustremainanunsightlygap，andalackofcontinuousnessanddependenceinournarrative；sothatitwouldarriveatcertaininevitablecatastropheswithoutduewarningoftheirimminence。

Ofsomuchwearesure，thatthereseemedtobeasadlymysteriousfascinationintheinfluenceofthisill-omenedpersonoverMiriam；itwassuchasbeastsandreptilesofsubtleandevilnaturesometimesexerciseupontheirvictims。Marvellousitwastoseethehopelessnesswithwhichbeingnaturallyofsocourageousaspiritsheresignedherselftothethraldominwhichheheldher。Thatironchain，ofwhichsomeofthemassivelinkswereroundherfemininewaist，andtheothersinhisruthlesshand，——orwhich，perhaps，boundthepairtogetherbyabondequallytorturingtoeach，——musthavebeenforgedinsomesuchunhallowedfurnaceasisonlykindledbyevilpassions，andfedbyevildeeds。

Yet，letustrust，theremayhavebeennocrimeinMiriam，butonlyoneofthosefatalitieswhichareamongthemostinsolubleriddlespropoundedtomortalcomprehension；thefataldecreebywhicheverycrimeismadetobetheagonyofmanyinnocentpersons，aswellasofthesingleguiltyone。

Itwas，atanyrate，butafeebleanddespairingkindofremonstrancewhichshehadnowtheenergytoopposeagainsthispersecution。

"Youfollowmetooclosely，"shesaid，inlow，falteringaccents；"youallowmetooscantyroomtodrawmybreath。Doyouknowwhatwillbetheendofthis？""Iknowwellwhatmustbetheend，"hereplied。

"Tellme，then，"saidMiriam，"thatImaycompareyourforebodingwithmyown。Mineisaverydarkone。"

"Therecanbebutoneresult，andthatsoon，"answeredthemodel。"Youmustthrowoffyourpresentmaskandassumeanother。Youmustvanishoutofthescene：quitRomewithme，andleavenotracewherebytofollowyou。

Itisinmypower，asyouwellknow，tocompelyouracquiescenceinmybidding。Youareawareofthepenaltyofarefusal。"

"Notthatpenaltywithwhichyouwouldterrifyme，"saidMiriam；"anothertheremaybe，butnotsogrievous。""Whatisthatother？"heinquired。

"Death！simplydeath！"sheanswered。"Death，"saidherpersecutor，"isnotsosimpleandopportuneathingasyouimagine。Youarestrongandwarmwithlife。Sensitiveandirritableasyourspiritis，thesemanymonthsoftrouble，thislatterthraldominwhichIholdyou，havescarcelymadeyourcheekpalerthanIsawitinyourgirlhood。Miriam，——forI

forbeartospeakanothername，atwhichtheseleaveswouldshiveraboveourheads，——Miriam，youcannotdie！"

"Mightnotadaggerfindmyheart？"saidshe，forthefirsttimemeetinghiseyes。"Wouldnotpoisonmakeanendofme？WillnottheTiberdrownme？"

"Itmight，"heanswered；"forIallowthatyouaremortal。But，Miriam，believeme，itisnotyourfatetodiewhilethereremainssomuchtobesinnedandsufferedintheworld。Wehaveadestinywhichwemustneedsfulfiltogether。I，too，havestruggledtoescapeit。Iwasasanxiousasyourselftobreakthetiebetweenus，——toburythepastinafathomlessgrave，——tomakeitimpossiblethatweshouldevermeet，untilyouconfrontmeatthebarofJudgment！YoulittlecanimaginewhatstepsItooktorenderallthissecure；andwhatwastheresult？Ourstrangeinterviewinthebowelsoftheearthconvincedmeofthefutilityofmydesign。"

"Ah，fatalchance！"criedMiriam，coveringherfacewithherhands。

"Yes，yourhearttrembledwithhorrorwhenyourecognizedme，"rejoinedhe；

"butyoudidnotguessthattherewasanequalhorrorinmyown！"

"Whywouldnottheweightofearthaboveourheadshavecrumbleddownuponusboth，forcingusapart，butburyingusequally？"criedMiriam，inaburstofvehementpassion。"O，thatwecouldhavewanderedinthosedismalpassagestillwebothperished，takingoppositepathsinthedarkness，sothatwhenwelaydowntodie，ourlast。breathsmightnotmingle！"

"Itwerevaintowishit，"saidthemodel。"Inallthatlabyrinthofmidnightpaths，weshouldhavefoundoneanotherouttoliveordietogether。Ourfatescrossandareentangled。Thethreadsaretwistedintoastrongcord，whichisdraggingustoanevildoom。Couldtheknotsbesevered，wemightescape。Butneithercanyourslenderfingersuntietheseknots，normymasculineforcebreakthem。Wemustsubmit！"

"Prayforrescue，asIhave，"exclaimedMiriam。"Prayfordeliverancefromme，sinceIamyourevilgenius，asyoumine。Darkasyourlifehasbeen，Ihaveknownyoutoprayintimespast！"

AtthesewordsofMiriam，atremorandhorrorappearedtoseizeuponherpersecutor，insomuchthatheshookandgrewashypalebeforehereyes。Inthisman'smemorytherewassomethingthatmadeitawfulforhimtothinkofprayer；norwouldanytorturebemoreintolerablethantoberemindedofsuchdivinecomfortandsuccorasawaitpioussoulsmerelyfortheasking；Thistormentwasperhapsthetokenofanativetemperamentdeeplysusceptibleofreligiousimpressions，butwhichhadbeenwronged，violated，anddebased，until，atlength，itwascapableonlyofterrorfromthesourcesthatwereintendedforourpurestandloftiestconsolation。Helookedsofearfullyather，andwithsuchintensepainstrugglinginhiseyes，thatMiriamfeltpity。

Andnow，allatonce，itstruckherthathemightbemad。Itwasanideathathadneverbeforeseriouslyoccurredtohermind，although，assoonassuggested，itfittedmarvellouslyintomanycircumstancesthatlaywithinherknowledge。But，alas！suchwasherevilfortune，that，whethermadorno，hispoweroverherremainedthesame，andwaslikelytobeusedonlythemoretyrannously，ifexercisedbyalunatic。

Iwouldnotgiveyoupain，"shesaid，soothingly；"yourfaithallowsyoutheconsolationsofpenanceandabsolution。Trywhathelptheremaybeinthese，andleavemetomyself。"

"Donotthinkit，Miriam，"saidhe；"weareboundtogether，andcanneverpartagain。""Whyshoulditseemsoimpossible？"sherejoined。"ThinkhowIhadescapedfromallthepast！Ihadmadeformyselfanewsphere，andfoundnewfriends，newoccupations，newhopesandenjoyments。Myheart，methinks，wasalmostasunburdenedasiftherehadbeennomiserablelifebehindme。Thehumanspiritdoesnotperishofasinglewound，norexhaustitselfinasingletrialoflife。Letusbutkeepasunder，andallmaygowellforboth。""Wefanciedourselvesforeversundered，"hereplied。"Yetwemetonce，inthebowelsoftheearth；and，werewetopartnow，ourfateswouldflingustogetheragaininadesert，onamountain-top，orinwhateverspotseemedsafest。Youspeakinvain，therefore。"

"Youmistakeyourownwillforanironnecessity，"saidMiriam；"otherwise，youmighthavesufferedmetoglidepastyoulikeaghost，whenwemetamongthoseghostsofancientdays。Evennowyoumightbidmepassasfreely。"

"Never！"saidhe，withunmitigablewill；"yourreappearancehasdestroyedtheworkofyears。YouknowthepowerthatIhaveoveryou。Obeymybidding；or，withinashorttime，itshallbeexercised：norwillIceasetohauntyoutillthemomentcomes。"

"Then，"saidMiriammorecalmly，"Iforeseetheend，andhavealreadywarnedyouofit。Itwillbedeath！"

"Yourowndeath，Miriam，——ormine？"heasked，lookingfixedlyather。

"Doyouimaginemeamurderess？"saidshe，shuddering；"you，atleast，havenorighttothinkmeso！"

"Yet，"rejoinedhe，withaglanceofdarkmeaning，"menhavesaidthatthiswhitehandhadonceacrimsonstain。"Hetookherhandashespoke，andhelditinhisown，inspiteoftherepugnance，amountingtonothingshortofagony，withwhichshestruggledtoregainit。Holdingituptothefadinglight(fortherewasalreadydimnessamongthetrees)，heappearedtoexamineitclosely，asiftodiscovertheimaginaryblood-stainwithwhichhetauntedher。Hesmiledasheletitgo。"Itlooksverywhite，"saidhe；"butIhaveknownhandsaswhite，whichallthewaterintheoceanwouldnothavewashedclean。"

"Ithadnostain，"retortedMiriambitterly，"untilyougraspeditinyourown。"

Thewindhasblownawaywhateverelsetheymayhavespoken。

Theywenttogethertowardsthetown，and，ontheirway，continuedtomakereference，nodoubt，tosomestrangeanddreadfulhistoryoftheirformerlife，belongingequallytothisdarkmanandtothefairandyouthfulwomanwhomhepersecuted。Intheirwords，orinthebreaththatutteredthem，thereseemedtobeanodorofguilt，andascentofblood。Yet，howcanweimaginethatastainofensanguinedcrimeshouldattachtoMiriam！

Orhow，ontheotherhand，shouldspotlessinnocencebesubjectedtoathraldomlikethatwhichsheenduredfromthespectre，whomsheherselfhadevokedoutofthedarkness！Bethisasitmight，Miriam，wehavereasontobelieve，stillcontinuedtobeseechhim，humbly，passionately，wildly，onlytogohisway，andleaveherfreetofollowherownsadpath。

ThustheystrayedonwardthroughthegreenwildernessoftheBorghesegrounds，andsooncamenearthecitywall，where，hadMiriamraisedhereyes，shemighthaveseenHildaandthesculptorleaningontheparapet。

Butshewalkedinamistoftrouble，andcoulddistinguishlittlebeyonditslimits。Astheycamewithinpublicobservation，herpersecutorfellbehind，throwingofftheimperiousmannerwhichhehadassumedduringtheirsolitaryinterview。ThePortadelPopoloswarmedwithlife。Themerry-makers，whohadspentthefeast-dayoutsidethewalls，werenowthrongingin；apartyofhorsemenwereenteringbeneaththearch；atravellingcarriagehadbeendrawnupjustwithintheverge，andwaspassingthroughthevillainousordealofthepapalcustom-house。Inthebroadpiazza，too，therewasamotleycrowd。

ButthestreamofMiriam'stroublekeptitswaythroughthisfloodofhumanlife，andneithermingledwithitnorwasturnedaside。Withasadkindoffeminineingenuity，shefoundawaytokneelbeforehertyrantundetected，thoughinfullsightofallthepeople，stillbeseechinghimforfreedom，andinvain。

CHAPTERXII

ASTROLLONTHEPINCIAN

Hilda，aftergivingthelasttouchestothepictureofBeatriceCenci，hadflowndownfromherdove-cote，lateintheafternoon，andgonetothePincianHill，inthehopeofhearingastrainortwoofexhilaratingmusic。

There，asithappened，shemetthesculptor，for，tosaythetruth，Kenyonhadwellnotedthefairartist'sordinarywayoflife，andwasaccustomedtoshapehisownmovementssoastobringhimoftenwithinhersphere。

ThePincianHillisthefavoritepromenadeoftheRomanaristocracy。Atthepresentday，however，likemostotherRomanpossessions，itbelongslesstothenativeinhabitantsthantothebarbariansfromGaul，GreatBritain，antibeyondthesea，whohaveestablishedapeacefulusurpationoverwhateverisenjoyableormemorableintheEternalCity。Theseforeignguestsareindeedungrateful，iftheydonotbreatheaprayerforPopeClement，orwhateverHolyFatheritmayhavebeen，wholevelledthesummitofthemountsoskilfully，andboundeditwiththeparapetofthecitywall；wholaidoutthosebroadwalksanddrives，andoverhungthemwiththedeepeningshadeofmanykindsoftree；whoscatteredtheflowers，ofallseasonsandofeveryclime，abundantlyoverthosegreen，centrallawns；whoscoopedouthollowsinfitplaces，and，settinggreatbasinsofmarbleinthem，causedever-gushingfountainstofillthemtothebrim；

whoreareduptheimmemorialobeliskoutofthesoilthathadlonghiddenit；whoplacedpedestalsalongthebordersoftheavenues，andcrownedthemwithbustsofthatmultitudeofworthies——statesmen，heroes，artists，menoflettersandofsong——whomthewholeworldclaimsasitschiefornaments，thoughItalyproducedthemall。Inaword，thePinciangardenisoneofthethingsthatreconcilethestranger(sincehefullyappreciatestheenjoyment，andfeelsnothingofthecost)totheruleofanirresponsibledynastyofHolyFathers，whoseemtohaveaimedatmakinglifeasagreeableanaffairasitcanwellbe。

Inthispleasantspot，thered-trouseredFrenchsoldiersarealwaystobeseen；beardedandgrizzledveterans，perhapswithmedalsofAlgiersortheCrimeaontheirbreasts。Tothemisassignedthepeacefuldutyofseeingthatchildrendonottrampleontheflowerbeds，noranyyouthfulloverriflethemoftheirfragrantblossomstostickinthebelovedone'shair。

Heresits(droopinguponsomemarblebench，inthetreacheroussunshine)

theconsumptivegirl，whosefriendshavebroughther，forcure，toaclimatethatinstilspoisonintoitsverypurestbreath。Here，allday，comenursery-maids，burdenedwithrosyEnglishbabies，orguidingthefootstepsoflittletravellersfromthefarWesternworld。Here，inthesunnyafternoons，rollandrumbleallkindsofequipages，fromthecardinal'sold-fashionedandgorgeouspurplecarriagetothegaybaroucheofmoderndate。Herehorsemengalloponthoroughbredsteeds。Here，inshort，allthetransitorypopulationofRome，theworld'sgreatwatering-place，rides，drives，orpromenades！Herearebeautifulsunsets；

andhere，whicheverwayyouturnyoureyes，arescenesaswellworthgazingat，bothinthemselvesandfortheirhistoricinterest，asanythatthesuneverroseandsetupon。Here，too，oncertainafternoonsoftheweek，aFrenchmilitarybandflingsoutrichmusicoverthepooroldcity，floatingherwithstrainsasloudasthoseofherownecholesstriumphs。

Hildaandthesculptor(bythecontrivanceofthelatter，wholovedbesttobealonewithhisyoungcountrywoman)hadwanderedbeyondthethrongofpromenaders，whomtheyleftinadenseclusteraroundthemusic。Theystrayed，indeed，tothefarthestpointofthePincianHill，andleanedovertheparapet，lookingdownupontheMuroTorto，amassivefragmentoftheoldestRomanwall，whichjutsover，asifreadytotumbledownbyitsownweight，yetseemsstillthemostindestructiblepieceofworkthatmen'shandseverpiledtogether。InthebluedistanceroseSoracte，andotherheights，whichhavegleamedafar，toourimaginations，butlookscarcelyrealtoourbodilyeyes，because，beingdreamedaboutsomuch，theyhavetakentheaerialtintswhichbelongonlytoadream。These，nevertheless，arethesolidframeworkofhillsthatshutinRome，anditswidesurroundingCampagna，——nolandofdreams，butthebroadestpageofhistory，crowdedsofullwithmemorableeventsthatoneobliteratesanother；asifTimehadcrossedandrecrossedhisownrecordstilltheygrewillegible。

But，nottomeddlewithhistory，——withwhichournarrativeisnootherwiseconcerned，thanthattheverydustofRomeishistoric，andinevitablysettlesonourpageandmingleswithourink，——wewillreturntoourtwofriends，whowerestillleaningoverthewall。BeneaththemlaythebroadsweepoftheBorghesegrounds，coveredwithtrees，amidwhichappearedthewhitegleamofpillarsandstatues，andtheflashofanupspringingfountain，alltobeovershadowedatalaterperiodoftheyearbythethickergrowthoffoliage。

Theadvanceofvegetation，inthissofterclimate，islessabruptthantheinhabitantofthecoldNorthisaccustomedtoobserve。Beginningearlier，——eveninFebruary，——SpringisnotcompelledtoburstintoSummerwithsuchheadlonghaste；thereistimetodwelluponeachopeningbeauty，andtoenjoythebuddingleaf，thetendergreen，thesweetyouthandfreshnessoftheyear；itgivesusits。maidencharm，before，settlingintothemarriedSummer，which，again，doesnotsosoonsoberitselfintomatronlyAutumn。Inourowncountry，thevirginSpringhastenstoitsbridaltooabruptly。Buthere，afteramonthortwoofkindlygrowth，theleavesoftheyoungtrees，whichcoverthatportionoftheBorghesegroundsnearestthecitywall，werestillintheirtenderhalfdevelopment。

Intheremoterdepths，amongtheoldgrovesofilex-trees，HildaandKenyonheardthefaintsoundofmusic，laughter，andminglingvoices。Itwasprobablytheuproar——spreadingevensofarasthewallsofRome，andgrowingfadedandmelancholyinitspassage——ofthatwildsylvanmerriment，whichwehavealreadyattemptedtodescribe。Byandbyitceased——althoughthetwolistenersstilltriedtodistinguishitbetweentheburstsofnearermusicfromthemilitaryband。Buttherewasnorenewalofthatdistantmirth。Soonafterwardstheysawasolitaryfigureadvancingalongoneofthepathsthatleadfromtheobscurerpartofthegroundtowardsthegateway。

"Look！isitnotDonatello？"saidHilda。

"Heitis，beyondadoubt，"repliedthesculptor。"Buthowgravelyhewalks，andwithwhatlonglooksbehindhim！Heseemseitherveryweary，orverysad。Ishouldnothesitatetocallitsadness，ifDonatellowereacreaturecapableofthesinandfollyoflowspirits。Inallthesehundredpaces，whilewehavebeenwatchinghim，hehasnotmadeoneofthoselittlecapriolesintheairwhicharecharacteristicofhisnaturalgait。IbegintodoubtwhetherheisaveritableFaun。"

"Then，"saidHilda，withperfectsimplicity，"youhavethoughthim——anddothinkhim——oneofthatstrange，wild，happyraceofcreatures，thatusedtolaughandsportinthewoods，intheold，oldtimes？SodoI，indeed！

ButIneverquitebelieved，tillnow，thatfaunsexistedanywherebutinpoetry。"

Thesculptoratfirstmerelysmiled。Then，astheideatookfurtherpossessionofhismind，helaughedoutright，andwishedfromthebottomofhisheart(beinginlovewithHilda，thoughhehadnevertoldherso)thathecouldhaverewardedorpunishedherforitsprettyabsurditywithakiss。

"OHilda，whatatreasureofsweetfaithandpureimaginationyouhideunderthatlittlestrawhat！"criedhe，atlength。"AFaun！aFaun！

GreatPanisnotdead，then，afterall！Thewholetribeofmythicalcreaturesyetliveinthemoonlitseclusionofayounggirl'sfancy，andfinditalovelierabodeandplay-place，Idoubtnot，thantheirArcadianhauntsofyore。Whatbliss，ifamanofmarble，likemyself，couldstraythither，too！"

"Whydoyoulaughso？"askedHilda，reddening；forshewasalittledisturbedatKenyon'sridicule，howeverkindlyexpressed。"WhatcanI

havesaid，thatyouthinksoveryfoolish？"

"Well，notfoolish，then，"rejoinedthesculptor，"butwiser，itmaybe，thanIcanfathom。Really，however，theideadoesstrikeoneasdelightfullyfresh，whenweconsiderDonatello'spositionandexternalenvironment。Why，mydearHilda，heisaTuscanborn，ofanoldnobleraceinthatpartofItaly；andhehasamoss-growntoweramongtheApennines，whereheandhisforefathershavedwelt，undertheirownvinesandfig-trees，fromanunknownantiquity。HisboyishpassionforMiriamhasintroducedhimfamiliarlytoourlittlecircle；andourrepublicanandartisticsimplicityofintercoursehasincludedthisyoungItalian，onthesametermsasoneofourselves。But，ifwepaidduerespecttorankandtitle，weshouldbendreverentiallytoDonatello，andsalutehimashisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni。"

"Thatisadrollidea，muchdrollerthanhisbeingaFaun！"saidHilda，laughinginherturn。"Thisdoesnotquitesatisfyme，however，especiallyasyouyourselfrecognizedandacknowledgedhiswonderfulresemblancetothestatue。"

"Exceptasregardsthepointedears，"saidKenyon；adding，aside，"andoneotherlittlepeculiarity，generallyobservableinthestatuesoffauns。"

"AsforhisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni'sears，"repliedHilda，smilingagainatthedignitywithwhichthistitleinvestedtheirplayfulfriend，"youknowwecouldneverseetheirshape，onaccountofhisclusteringcurls。Nay，Iremember，heoncestartedback，asshylyasawilddeer，whenMiriammadeapretenceofexaminingthem。Howdoyouexplainthat？"

"O，Icertainlyshallnotcontendagainstsuchaweightofevidence，thefactofhisfaunshipbeingotherwisesoprobable，"answeredthesculptor，stillhardlyretaininghisgravity。"Faunornot，DonatelloortheCountdiMonteBeni——isasingularlywildcreature，and，asIhaveremarkedonotheroccasions，thoughverygentle，doesnotlovetobetouched。

Speakinginnoharshsense，thereisagreatdealofanimalnatureinhim，asifhehadbeenborninthewoods，andhadrunwildallhischildhood，andwereasyetbutimperfectlydomesticated。Life，eveninourday，isverysimpleandunsophisticatedinsomeoftheshaggynooksoftheApennines。"

"Itannoysmeverymuch，"saidHilda，"thisinclination，whichmostpeoplehave，toexplainawaythewonderandthemysteryoutofeverything。Whycouldnotyouallowme——andyourself，too——thesatisfactionofthinkinghimaFaun？"

"Praykeepyourbelief，dearHilda，ifitmakesyouanyhappier，"saidthesculptor；"andIshalldomybesttobecomeaconvert。Donatellohasaskedmetospendthesummerwithhim，inhisancestraltower，whereI

purposeinvestigatingthepedigreeofthesesylvancounts，hisforefathers；

andiftheirshadowsbeckonmeintodreamland，Ishallwillinglyfollow。

Bythebye，speakingofDonatello，thereisapointonwhichIshouldliketobeenlightened。"

"CanIhelpyou，then？"saidHilda，inanswertohislook。

"IstheretheslightestchanceofhiswinningMiriam'saffections？"

suggestedKenyon。

"Miriam！she，soaccomplishedandgifted！"exclaimedHilda；"andhe，arude，uncultivatedboy！No，no，no！"

"Itwouldseemimpossible，"saidthesculptor。"But，ontheotherhand，agiftedwomanflingsawayheraffectionssounaccountably，sometimes！

Miriamoflatehasbeenverymorbidandmiserable，aswebothknow。Youngassheis，themorninglightseemsalreadytohavefadedoutofherlife；

andnowcomesDonatello，withnaturalsunshineenoughforhimselfandher，andoffershertheopportunityofmakingherheartandlifeallnewandcheeryagain。Peopleofhighintellectualendowmentsdonotrequiresimilaronesinthosetheylove。Theyarejustthepersonstoappreciatethewholesomegushofnaturalfeeling，thehonestaffection，thesimplejoy，thefulnessofcontentmentwithwhatheloves，whichMiriamseesinDonatello。True；shemaycallhimasimpleton。Itisanecessityofthecase；foramanlosesthecapacityforthiskindofaffection，inproportionashecultivatesandrefineshimself。"

"Dearme！"saidHilda，drawingimperceptiblyawayfromhercompanion。

"Isthisthepenaltyofrefinement？Pardonme；Idonotbelieveit。Itisbecauseyouareasculptor，thatyouthinknothingcanbefinelywroughtexceptitbecoldandhard，likethemarbleinwhichyourideastakeshape。Iamapainter，andknowthatthemostdelicatebeautymaybesoftenedandwarmedthroughout。"

"Isaidafoolishthing，indeed，"answeredthesculptor。"Itsurprisesme，forImighthavedrawnawiserknowledgeoutofmyownexperience。Itisthesuresttestofgenuinelove，thatitbringsbackourearlysimplicitytotheworldliestofus。"

Thustalking，theyloiteredslowlyalongbesidetheparapetwhichbordersthelevelsummitofthePincianwithitsirregularsweep。Atintervalstheylookedthroughthelattice-workoftheirthoughtsatthevariedprospectsthatlaybeforeandbeneaththem。

FromtheterracewheretheynowstoodthereisanabruptdescenttowardsthePiazzadelPopolo；andlookingdownintoitsbroadspacetheybeheldthetallpalatialedifices，thechurchdomes，andtheornamentedgateway，whichgrewandwereconsolidatedoutofthethoughtofMichaelAngelo。

Theysaw，too，theredgraniteobelisk，oldestofthings，eveninRome，whichrisesinthecentreofthepiazza，withafourfoldfountainatitsbase。AllRomanworksandruins(whetheroftheempire，thefar-offrepublic，orthestillmoredistantkings)assumeatransient，visionary，andimpalpablecharacterwhenwethinkthatthisindestructiblemonumentsuppliedoneoftherecollectionswhichMosesandtheIsraelitesborefromEgyptintothedesert。Perchance，onbeholdingthecloudypillarandthefierycolumn，theywhisperedawestrickentooneanother，"InitsshapeitislikethatoldobeliskwhichweandourfathershavesooftenseenonthebordersoftheNile。"Andnowthatveryobelisk，withhardlyatraceofdecayuponit，isthefirstthingthatthemoderntravellerseesafterenteringtheFlaminianGate！

Liftingtheireyes，Hildaandhercompaniongazedwestward，andsawbeyondtheinvisibleTibertheCastleofSt。Angelo；thatimmensetombofapaganemperor，withthearchangelatitssummit。

Stillfartheroffappearedamightypileofbuildings，surmountedbythevastdome，whichallofushaveshapedandswelledoutward，likeahugebubble，totheutmostScopeofourimaginations，longbeforeweseeitfloatingovertheworshipofthecity。Itmaybemostworthilyseenfrompreciselythepointwhereourtwofriendswerenowstanding。AtanynearerviewthegrandeurofSt。Peter'shidesitselfbehindtheimmensityofitsseparateparts，——sothatweseeonlythefront，onlythesides，onlythepillaredlengthandloftinessoftheportico，andnotthemightywhole。Butatthisdistancetheentireoutlineoftheworld'scathedral，aswellasthatofthepalaceoftheworld'schiefpriest，istakeninatonce。Insuchremoteness，moreover，theimaginationisnotdebarredfromlendingitsassistance，evenwhilewehavetherealitybeforeoureyes，andhelpingtheweaknessofhumansensetodojusticetosograndanobject。Itrequiresbothfaithandfancytoenableustofeel，whatisneverthelesssotrue，thatyonder，infrontofthepurpleoutlineofhills，isthegrandestedificeeverbuiltbyman，paintedagainstGod'sloveliestsky。

AftercontemplatingalittlewhileascenewhichtheirlongresidenceinRomehadmadefamiliartothem，KenyonandHildaagainlettheirglancesfallintothepiazzaattheirfeet。TheytherebeheldMiriam，whohadjustenteredthePortadelPopolo，andwasstandingbytheobeliskandfountain。WithagesturethatimpressedKenyonasatoncesuppliantandimperious，sheseemedtointimatetoafigurewhichhadattendedherthusfar，thatitwasnowherdesiretobeleftalone。Thepertinaciousmodel，however，remainedimmovable。

Andthesculptorherenotedacircumstance，which，accordingtotheinterpretationhemightputuponit，waseithertootrivialtobementioned，orelsesomysteriouslysignificantthathefounditdifficulttobelievehiseyes。Miriamkneltdownonthestepsofthefountain；sofartherecouldbenoquestionofthefact。Tootherobservers，ifanytherewere，sheprobablyappearedtotakethisattitudemerelyfortheconvenienceofdippingherfingersintothegushofwaterfromthemouthofoneofthestonelions。Butassheclaspedherhandstogetherafterthusbathingthem，andglancedupwardatthemodel，anideatookstrongpossessionofKenyon'smindthatMiriamwaskneelingtothisdarkfollowerthereintheworld'sface！

"Doyouseeit？"hesaidtoHilda。

"Seewhat？"askedshe，surprisedattheemotionofhistone。"IseeMiriam，whohasjustbathedherhandsinthatdelightfullycoolwater。I

oftendipmyfingersintoaRomanfountain，andthinkofthebrookthatusedtobeoneofmyplaymatesinmyNewEnglandvillage。"

"IfanciedIsawsomethingelse，"saidKenyon；"butitwasdoubtlessamistake。"

But，allowingthathehadcaughtatrueglimpseintothehiddensignificanceofMiriam'sgesture，whataterriblethraldomdiditsuggest！

Freeassheseemedtobe，——beggarashelooked，——thenamelessvagrantmustthenbedraggingthebeautifulMiriamthroughthestreetsofRome，fetteredandshackledmorecruellythananycaptivequeenofyorefollowinginanemperor'striumph。Andwasitconceivablethatshewouldhavebeenthusenthralledunlesssomegreaterror——howgreatKenyondarednotthink——orsomefatalweaknesshadgiventhisdarkadversaryavantageground？

"Hilda，"saidheabruptly，"whoandwhatisMiriam？Pardonme；butareyousureofher？"

"Sureofher！"repeatedHilda，withanangryblush，forherfriend'ssake。

"Iamsurethatsheiskind，good，andgenerous；atrueandfaithfulfriend，whomIlovedearly，andwholovesmeaswell！WhatmorethanthisneedIbesureof？"

"Andyourdelicateinstinctssayallthisinherfavor？——nothingagainsther？"continuedthesculptor，withoutheedingtheirritationofHilda'stone。"Thesearemyownimpressions，too。Butsheissuchamystery！Wedonotevenknowwhethersheisacountrywomanofours，oranEnglishwoman，oraGerman。ThereisAnglo-Saxonbloodinherveins，onewouldsay，andarightEnglishaccentonhertongue，butmuchthatisnotEnglishbreeding，norAmerican。NowhereelsebutinRome，andasanartist，couldsheholdaplaceinsocietywithoutgivingsomeclewtoherpastlife。"

"Iloveherdearly，"saidHilda，stillwithdispleasureinhertone，"andtrusthermostentirely。"

"Myhearttrustsheratleast，whatevermyheadmaydo，"repliedKenyon；

"andRomeisnotlikeoneofourNewEnglandvillages，whereweneedthepermissionofeachindividualneighborforeveryactthatwedo，everywordthatweutter，andeveryfriendthatwemakeorkeep。Intheseparticularsthepapaldespotismallowsusfreerbreaththanournativeair；

andifweliketotakegenerousviewsofourassociates，wecandoso，toareasonableextent，withoutruiningourselves。"

"Themusichasceased，"saidHilda；"Iamgoingnow。"

Therearethreestreetsthat，beginningclosebesideeachother，divergefromthePiazzadelPopolotowardstheheartofRome：ontheleft，theViadelBabuino；ontheright，theViadellaRipetta；andbetweenthesetwothatworldfamousavenue，theCorso。ItappearedthatMiriamandherstrangecompanionwerepassingupthefirstmentionedofthesethree，andweresoonhiddenfromHildaandthesculptor。

ThetwolatterleftthePincianbythebroadandstatelywalkthatskirtsalongitsbrow。Beneaththem，fromthebaseoftheabruptdescent，thecityspreadwideawayinaclosecontiguityofred-earthenroofs，abovewhichroseeminentthedomesofahundredchurches，besidehereandthereatower，andtheupperwindowsofsometallerorhighersituatedpalace，lookingdownonamultitudeofpalatialabodes。Atadistance，ascendingoutofthecentralmassofedifices，theycouldseethetopoftheAntoninecolumn，andnearitthecircularroofofthePantheonlookingheavenwardwithitsever-openeye。

Exceptthesetwoobjects，almosteverythingthattheybeheldwasmediaeval，thoughbuilt，indeed，ofthemassiveoldstonesandindestructiblebricksofimperialRome；fortheruinsoftheColiseum，theGoldenHouse，andinnumerabletemplesofRomangods，andmansionsofCaesarsandsenators，hadsuppliedthematerialforallthosegigantichovels，andtheirwallswerecementedwithmortarofinestimablecost，beingmadeofpreciousantiquestatues，burntlongagoforthispettypurpose。

Rome，asitnowexists，hasgrownupunderthePopes，andseemslikenothingbutaheapofbrokenrubbish，thrownintothegreatchasmbetweenourowndaysandtheEmpire，merelytofillitup；and，forthebetterpartoftwothousandyears，itsannalsofobscurepolicies，andwars，andcontinuallyrecurringmisfortunes，seemalsobutbrokenrubbish，ascomparedwithitsclassichistory。

Ifweconsiderthepresentcityasatallconnectedwiththefamousoneofold，itisonlybecausewefinditbuiltoveritsgrave。AdepthofthirtyfeetofsoilhascovereduptheRomeofancientdays，sothatitlieslikethedeadcorpseofagiant，decayingforcenturies，withnosurvivormightyenougheventoburyit，untilthedustofallthoseyearshasgatheredslowlyoveritsrecumbentformandmadeacasualsepulchre。

Weknownothowtocharacterize，inanyaccordantandcompatibleterms，theRomethatliesbeforeus；itssunlessalleys，andstreetsofpalaces；

itschurches，linedwiththegorgeousmarblesthatwereoriginallypolishedfortheadornmentofpagantemples；itsthousandsofevilsmells，mixedupwithfragranceofrichincense，diffusedfromasmanycensers；

itslittlelife，derivingfeeblenutrimentfromwhathaslongbeendead。

Everywhere，somefragmentofruinsuggestingthemagnificenceofaformerepoch；everywhere，moreover，aCross，——andnastinessatthefootofit。

Asthesumofall，therearerecollectionsthatkindlethesoul，andagloomandlanguorthatdepressitbeyondanydepthofmelancholicsentimentthatcanbeelsewhereknown。

YethowisitpossibletosayanunkindorirreverentialwordofRome？

Thecityofailtime，andofalltheworld！Thespotforwhichman'sgreatlifeanddeedshavedonesomuch，andforwhichdecayhasdonewhatevergloryanddominioncouldnotdo！Atthismoment，theeveningsunshineisflingingitsgoldenmantleoverit，makingallthatwethoughtmeanmagnificent；thebellsofallthechurchessuddenlyringout，asifitwereapealoftriumphbecauseRomeisstillimperial。

"Isometimesfancy，"saidHilda，onwhosesusceptibilitythescenealwaysmadeastrongimpression，"thatRome——mereRome——willcrowdeverythingelseoutofmyheart。"

"Heavenforbid！"ejaculatedthesculptor。TheyhadnowreachedthegrandstairsthatascendfromthePiazzadiSpagnatothehitherbrowofthePincianHill。OldBeppo，themillionnaireofhisraggedfraternity，itisawonderthatnoartistpaintshimasthecripplewhomSt。PeterhealsattheBeautifulGateoftheTemple，——wasjustmountinghisdonkeytodepart，ladenwiththerichspoiloftheday'sbeggary。

Upthestairs，drawinghistatteredcloakabouthisface，camethemodel，atwhomBeppolookedaskance，jealousofanencroacheronhisrightfuldomain。Thefigurepassedaway，however，uptheViaSistina。Inthepiazzabelow，nearthefootofthemagnificentsteps，stoodMiriam，withhereyesbentontheground，asifshewerecountingthoselittle，square，uncomfortablepaving-stones，thatmakeitapenitentialpilgrimagetowalkinRome。Shekeptthisattitudeforseveralminutes，andwhen，atlast，theimportunitiesofabeggardisturbedherfromit，sheseemedbewilderedandpressedherhanduponherbrow。

"Shehasbeeninsomesaddreamorother，poorthing！"saidKenyonsympathizingly；"andevennowsheisimprisonedthereinakindofcage，theironbarsofwhicharemadeofherownthoughts。"

"Ifearsheisnotwell，"saidHilda。"Iamgoingdownthestairs，andwilljoinMiriam。"

"Farewell，then，"saidthesculptor。"DearHilda，thisisaperplexedandtroubledworld！Itsoothesmeinexpressiblytothinkofyouinyourtower，withwhitedovesandwhitethoughtsforyourcompanions，sohighaboveusall，andWiththeVirginforyourhouseholdfriend。Youknownothowfaritthrowsitslight，thatlampwhichyoukeepburningathershrine！I

passedbeneaththetowerlastnight，andtheraycheeredme，becauseyoulightedit。"

"Ithasformeareligioussignificance，"repliedHildaquietly，"andyetIamnoCatholic。"

Theyparted，andKenyonmadehastealongtheViaSistina，inthehopeofovertakingthemodel，whosehauntsandcharacterhewasanxioustoinvestigate，forMiriam'ssake。Hefanciedthathesawhimalongwayinadvance，butbeforehereachedtheFountainoftheTritontheduskyfigurehadvanished。

CHAPTERXIII

ASCULPTOR'SSTUDIO

Aboutthisperiod，Miriamseemstohavebeengoadedbyawearyrestlessnessthatdroveherabroadonanyerrandornone。ShewentonemorningtovisitKenyoninhisstudio，whitherhehadinvitedhertoseeanewstatue，onwhichhehadstakedmanyhopes，andwhichwasnowalmostcompletedintheclay。NexttoHilda，thepersonforwhomMiriamfeltmostaffectionandconfidencewasKenyon；andinallthedifficultiesthatbesetherlife，itwasherimpulsetodrawnearHildaforfemininesympathy，andthesculptorforbrotherlycounsel。

Yetitwastolittlepurposethatsheapproachedtheedgeofthevoicelessgulfbetweenherselfandthem。Standingontheutmostvergeofthatdarkchasm，shemightstretchoutherhand，andneverclaspahandoftheirs；

shemightstrivetocallout，"Help，friends！help！"but，aswithdreamerswhentheyshout，hervoicewouldperishinaudiblyintheremotenessthatseemedsuchalittleway。Thisperceptionofaninfinite，shiveringsolitude，amidwhichwecannotcomecloseenoughtohumanbeingstobewarmedbythem，andwheretheyturntocold，chillyshapesofmist，isoneofthemostforlornresultsofanyaccident，misfortune，crime，orpeculiarityofcharacter，thatputsanindividualajarwiththeworld。

Veryoften，asinMiriam'scase，thereisaninsatiableinstinctthatdemandsfriendship，love，andintimatecommunion，butisforcedtopineinemptyforms；ahungeroftheheart，whichfindsonlyshadowstofeedupon。

Kenyon'sstudiowasinacross-street，or，rather，anuglyanddirtylittlelane，betweentheCorsoandtheViadellaRipetta；andthoughchill，narrow，gloomy，andborderedwithtallandshabbystructures，thelanewasnotawhitmoredisagreeablethanninetenthsoftheRomanstreets。

Overthedoorofoneofthehouseswasamarbletablet，bearinganinscription，tothepurportthatthesculpture-roomswithinhadformerlybeenoccupiedbytheillustriousartistCanova。Intheseprecincts(whichCanova'sgeniuswasnotquiteofacharactertorendersacred，thoughitcertainlymadetheminteresting)theyoungAmericansculptorhadnowestablishedhimself。

Thestudioofasculptorisgenerallybutaroughanddreary-lookingplace，withagooddealtheaspect，indeed，ofastone-mason'sworkshop。Barefloorsofbrickorplank，andplasteredwalls，——anoldchairortwo，orperhapsonlyablockofmarble(containing，however，thepossibilityofidealgracewithinit)tositdownupon；somehastilyscrawledsketchesofnudefiguresonthewhitewashofthewall。Theselastareprobablythesculptor'searliestglimpsesofideasthatmayhereafterbesolidifiedintoimperishablestone，orperhapsmayremainasimpalpableasadream。

Nextthereareafewveryroughlymodelledlittlefiguresinclayorplaster，exhibitingthesecondstageoftheideaasitadvancestowardsamarbleimmortality；andthenisseentheexquisitelydesignedshapeofclay，moreinterestingthaneventhefinalmarble，asbeingtheintimateproductionofthesculptorhimself，mouldedthroughoutwithhislovinghands，andnearesttohisimaginationandheart。Intheplaster-cast，fromthisclaymodel，thebeautyofthestatuestrangelydisappears，toshineforthagainwithpurewhiteradiance，inthepreciousmarbleofCarrara。Worksinallthesestagesofadvancement，andsomewiththefinaltouchuponthem，mightbefoundinKenyon'sstudio。

Heremightbewitnessedtheprocessofactuallychisellingthemarble，withwhich(asitisnotquitesatisfactorytothink)asculptorinthesedayshasverylittletodo。InItaly，thereisaclassofmenwhosemerelymechanicalskillisperhapsmoreexquisitethanwaspossessedbytheancientartificers，whowroughtoutthedesignsofPraxiteles；or，verypossibly，byPraxiteleshimself。Whateverofillusiverepresentationcanbeeffectedinmarble，theyarecapableofachieving，iftheobjectbebeforetheireyes。Thesculptorhasbuttopresentthesemenwithaplaster-castofhisdesign，andasufficientblockofmarble，andtellthemthatthefigureisimbeddedinthestone，andmustbefreedfromitsencumberingsuperfluities；and，induetime，withoutthenecessityofhistouchingtheworkwithhisownfinger，hewillseebeforehimthestatuethatistomakehimrenowned。Hiscreativepowerhaswroughtitwithaword。

Innootherart，surely，doesgeniusfindsucheffectiveinstruments，andsohappilyrelieveitselfofthedrudgery，ofactualperformance；doingwonderfullynicethingsbythehandsofotherpeople，whenitmaybesuspectedtheycouldnotalwaysbedonebythesculptor'sown。Andhowmuchoftheadmirationwhichourartistsgetfortheirbuttonsandbuttonholes，theirshoe-ties，theirneckcloths，——andthese，atourpresentepochoftaste，makealargeshareoftherenown，——wouldbeabated，ifweweregenerallyawarethatthesculptorcanclaimnocreditforsuchprettyperformances，asimmortalizedinmarble！Theyarenothiswork，butthatofsomenamelessmachineinhumanshape。

Miriamstoppedaninstantinanantechamber，tolookatahalf-finishedbust，thefeaturesofwhichseemedtobestrugglingoutofthestone；and，asitwere，scatteringanddissolvingitshardsubstancebytheglowoffeelingandintelligence。Astheskilfulworkmangavestrokeafterstrokeofthechiselwithapparentcarelessness，butsureeffect，itwasimpossiblenottothinkthattheoutermarblewasmerelyanextraneousenvironment；thehumancountenancewithinitsembracemusthaveexistedtheresincethelimestoneledgesofCarrarawerefirstmade。Anotherbustwasnearlycompleted，thoughstilloneofKenyon'smosttrustworthyassistantswasatwork，givingdelicatetouches，shavingoffanimpalpablesomething，andleavinglittleheapsofmarbledusttoattestit。

"Asthesebustsintheblockofmarble，"thoughtMiriam，"sodoesourindividualfateexistinthelimestoneoftime。Wefancythatwecarveitout；butitsultimateshapeispriortoallouraction。"

Kenyonwasintheinnerroom，but，hearingastepintheantechamber，hethrewaveiloverwhathewasatworkupon，andcameouttoreceivehisvisitor。Hewasdressedinagrayblouse，withalittlecaponthetopofhishead；acostumewhichbecamehimbetterthanthoformalgarmentswhichheworewheneverhepassedoutofhisowndomains。Thesculptorhadafacewhich，whentimehaddonealittlemoreforit，wouldofferaworthysubjectforasgoodanartistashimself：featuresfinelycut，asifalreadymarble；anidealforehead，deeplyseteyes，andamouthmuchhiddeninalightbrownbeard，butapparentlysensitiveanddelicate。

"Iwillnotofferyoumyhand，"saidhe；"itisgrimywithCleopatra'sclay。"

"No；Iwillnottouchclay；itisearthyandhuman，"answeredMiriam。"I

havecometotrywhetherthereisanycalmandcoolnessamongyourmarbles。

Myownartistoonervous，toopassionate，toofullofagitation，formetoworkatitwholedaystogether，withoutintervalsofrepose。So，whathaveyoutoshowme？"

"Praylookateverythinghere，"saidKenyon。"Ilovetohavepaintersseemywork。Theirjudgmentisunprejudiced，andmorevaluablethanthatoftheworldgenerally，fromthelightwhichtheirownartthrowsonmine。

Morevaluable，too，thanthatofmybrothersculptors，whoneverjudgemefairly，——norIthem，perhaps。"

Togratifyhim，Miriamlookedroundatthespecimensinmarbleorplaster，ofwhichtherewereseveralintheroom，comprisingoriginalsorcastsofmostofthedesignsthatKenyonhadthusfarproduced。Hewasstilltooyoungtohaveaccumulatedalargegalleryofsuchthings。Whathehadtoshowwerechieflytheattemptsandexperiments，invariousdirections，ofabeginnerinart，actingasasterntutortohimself，andprofitingmorebyhisfailuresthanbyanysuccessesofwhichhewasyetcapable。Someofthem，however，hadgreatmerit；andinthepure，fineglowofthenewmarble，itmaybe，theydazzledthejudgmentintoawardingthemhigherpraisethantheydeserved。Miriamadmiredthestatueofabeautifulyouth，apearlfisher；whohadgotentangledintheweedsatthebottomofthesea，andlaydeadamongthepearl-oysters，therichshells，andtheseaweeds，alloflikevaluetohimnow。

"Thepooryoungmanhasperishedamongtheprizesthathesought，"

remarkedshe。"Butwhatastrangeefficacythereisindeath！Ifwecannotallwinpearls，itcausesanemptyshelltosatisfyusjustaswell。

Ilikethisstatue，thoughitistoocoldandsterninitsmorallesson；

and，physically，theformhasnotsettleditselfintosufficientrepose。"

Inanotherstyle，therewasagrand，calmheadofMilton，notcopiedfromanyonebustorpicture，yetmoreauthenticthananyofthem，becauseallknownrepresentationsofthepoethadbeenprofoundlystudied，andsolvedintheartist'smind。ThebustoverthetombinGreyFriarsChurch，theoriginalminiaturesandpictures，wherevertobefound，hadmingledeachitsspecialtruthinthisonework；wherein，likewise，bylongperusalanddeeploveoftheParadiseLost，theComus，theLycidas，andL'Allegro，thesculptorhadsucceeded，evenbetterthanheknew，inspiritualizinghismarblewiththepoet'smightygenius。Andthiswasagreatthingtohaveachieved，suchalengthoftimeafterthedrybonesanddustofMiltonwerelikethoseofanyotherdeadman。

Therewerealsoseveralportrait-busts，comprisingthoseoftwoorthreeoftheillustriousmenofourowncountry，whomKenyon，beforeheleftAmerica，hadaskedpermissiontomodel。Hehaddoneso，becausehesincerelybelievedthat，whetherhewroughtthebustsinmarbleorbronze，theonewouldcorrodeandtheothercrumbleinthelonglapseoftime，beneaththesegreatmen'simmortality。Possibly，however，theyoungartistmayhaveunderestimatedthedurabilityofhismaterial。Otherfacestherewere，too，ofmenwho(ifthebrevityoftheirremembrance，afterdeath，canbeauguredfromtheirlittlevalueinlife)shouldhavebeenrepresentedinsnowratherthanmarble。Posteritywillbepuzzledwhattodowithbustslikethese，theconcretionsandpetrifactionsofavainselfestimate；butwillfind，nodoubt，thattheyservetobuildintostonewalls，orburnintoquicklime，aswellasifthemarblehadneverbeenblockedintotheguiseofhumanheads。

Butitisanawfulthing，indeed，thisendlessendurance，thisalmostindestructibility，ofamarblebust！Whetherinourowncase，orthatofothermen，itbidsussadlymeasurethelittle，littletimeduringwhichourlineamentsarelikelytobeofinteresttoanyhumanbeing。ItisespeciallysingularthatAmericansshouldcareaboutperpetuatingthemselvesinthismode。Thebriefdurationofourfamilies，asahereditaryhousehold，rendersitnexttoacertaintythatthegreat-grandchildrenwillnotknowtheirfather'sgrandfather，andthathalfacenturyhenceatfurthest，thehammeroftheauctioneerwillthumpitsknock-downblowagainsthisblockhead，soldatsomuchforthepoundofstone！Anditoughttomakeusshiver，theideaofleavingourfeaturestobeadusty-whiteghostamongstrangersofanothergeneration，whowilltakeournosebetweentheirthumbandfingers(aswehaveseenmendobyCaesar's)，andinfalliblybreakitoffiftheycandosowithoutdetection！

"Yes，"saidMiriam，whohadbeenrevolvingsomesuchthoughtsastheabove，"itisagoodstateofmindformortalman，whenheiscontenttoleavenomoredefinitememorialthanthegrass，whichwillsproutkindlyandspeedilyoverhisgrave，ifwedonotmakethespotbarrenwithmarble。

Methinks，too，itwillbeafresherandbetterworld，whenitflingsoffthisgreatburdenofstonymemories，whichtheageshavedeemeditapietytoheapuponitsback。"

"Whatyousay，"remarkedKenyon，"goesagainstmywholeart。Sculpture，andthedelightwhichmennaturallytakeinit，appeartomeaproofthatitisgoodtoworkwithalltimebeforeourview。"

"Well，well，"answeredMiriam，"ImustnotquarrelwithyouforflingingyourheavystonesatpoorPosterity；and，tosaythetruth，Ithinkyouareaslikelytohitthemarkasanybody。Thesebusts，now，muchasI

seemtoscornthem，makemefeelasifyouwereamagician……Youturnfeverishmenintocool，quietmarble。Whatablessedchangeforthem！

Wouldyoucoulddoasmuchforme！"

"O，gladly！"criedKenyon，whohadlongwishedtomodelthatbeautifulandmostexpressiveface。"Whenwillyoubegintosit？"

"Poh！thatwasnotwhatImeant，"saidMiriam。"Come，showmesomethingelse。"

"Doyourecognizethis？"askedthesculptor。

Hetookoutofhisdeskalittleold-fashionedivorycoffer，yellowwithage；itwasrichlycarvedwithantiquefiguresandfoliage；andhadKenyonthoughtfittosaythatBenvenutoCelliniwroughtthispreciousbox，theskillandelaboratefancyoftheworkwouldbynomeanshavediscreditedhisword，northeoldartist'sfame。Atleast，itwasevidentlyaproductionofBenvenuto'sschoolandcentury，andmightoncehavebeenthejewel-caseofsomegrandladyatthecourtoftheDe'Medici。

Liftingthelid，however，noblazeofdiamondswasdisclosed，butonly，lappedinfleecycotton，asmall，beautifullyshapedhand，mostdelicatelysculpturedinmarble。Suchlovingcareandnicestarthadbeenlavishedhere，thatthepalmreallyseemedtohaveatendernessinitsverysubstance。Touchingthoselovelyfingers，——hadthejealoussculptorallowedyoutotouch，——youcouldhardlybelievethatavirginwarmthwouldnotstealfromthemintoyourheart。

"Ah，thisisverybeautiful！"exclaimedMiriam，withagenialsmile。"ItisasgoodinitswayasLoulie'shandwithitsbaby-dimples，whichPowersshowedmeatFlorence，evidentlyvaluingitasmuchasifhehadwroughtitoutofapieceofhisgreatheart。AsgoodasHarrietHosmer'sclaspedhandsofBrowningandhiswife，symbolizingtheindividualityandheroicunionoftwohigh，poeticlives！Nay，Idonotquestionthatitisbetterthaneitherofthose，becauseyoumusthavewroughtitpassionately，inspiteofitsmaidenpalmanddaintyfingertips。"

"Thenyoudorecognizeit？"askedKenyon。

"Thereisbutonerighthandonearththatcouldhavesuppliedthemodel，"

answeredMiriam；"sosmallandslender，soperfectlysymmetrical，andyetwithacharacterofdelicateenergy。Ihavewatcheditahundredtimesatitswork；butIdidnotdreamthatyouhadwonHildasofar！Howhaveyoupersuadedthatshymaidentoletyoutakeherhandinmarble？"

"Never！Sheneverknewit！"hastilyrepliedKenyon，anxioustovindicatehismistress'smaidenlyreserve。"Istoleitfromher。Thehandisareminiscence。Aftergazingatitsooften，andevenholdingitonceforaninstant，whenHildawasnotthinkingofme，Ishouldbeabunglerindeed，ifIcouldnotnowreproduceittosomethinglikethelife。"

"Mayyouwintheoriginaloneday！"saidMiriamkindly。

"Ihavelittlegroundtohopeit，"answeredthesculptordespondingly；

"Hildadoesnotdwellinourmortalatmosphere；andgentleandsoftassheappears，itwillbeasdifficulttowinherheartastoenticedownawhitebirdfromitssunnyfreedominthesky。Itisstrange，withallherdelicacyandfragility，theimpressionshemakesofbeingutterlysufficienttoherself。No；Ishallneverwinher。Sheisabundantlycapableofsympathy，anddelightstoreceiveit，butshehasnoneedoflove。"

"Ipartlyagreewithyou，"saidMiriam。"Itisamistakenidea，whichmengenerallyentertain，thatnaturehasmadewomenespeciallypronetothrowtheirwholebeingintowhatistechnicallycalledlove。Wehave，tosaytheleast，nomorenecessityforitthanyourselves；onlywehavenothingelsetodowithourhearts。Whenwomenhaveotherobjectsinlife，theyarenotapttofallinlove。Icanthinkofmanywomendistinguishedinart，literature，andscience，——andmultitudeswhoseheartsandmindsfindgoodemploymentinlessostentatiousways，——wholeadhigh，lonelylives，andareconsciousofnosacrificesofarasyoursexisconcerned。"

"AndHildawillbeoneofthese！"saidKenyonsadly；"thethoughtmakesmeshiverformyself，andandforher，too。"

"Well，"saidMiriam，smiling，"perhapsshemaysprainthedelicatewristwhichyouhavesculpturedtosuchperfection。Inthatcaseyoumayhope。

Theseoldmasterstowhomshehasvowedherself，andwhomherslenderhandandwoman'sheartservesofaithfully，areyouronlyrivals。"

ThesculptorsighedasheputawaythetreasureofHilda'smarblehandintotheivorycoffer，andthoughthowslightwasthepossibilitythatheshouldeverfeelresponsivetohisownthetenderclaspoftheoriginal。

Hedarednotevenkisstheimagethathehimselfhadmade：ithadassumeditsshareofHilda'sremoteandshydivinity。

"Andnow，"saidMiriam，"showmethenewstatuewhichyouaskedmehithertosee。"

CHAPTERXIV

CLEOPATRA

Mynewstatue！"saidKenyon，whohadpositivelyforgottenitinthethoughtofHilda；"hereitis，underthisveil。""Notanudefigure，I

hope，"observedMiriam。"Everyyoungsculptorseemstothinkthathemustgivetheworldsomespecimenofindecorouswomanhood，andcallitEve，Venus，aNymph，oranynamethatmayapologizeforalackofdecentclothing。Iamweary，evenmorethanIamashamed，ofseeingsuchthings。

Nowadayspeopleareasgoodasbornintheirclothes，andthereispracticallynotanudehumanbeinginexistence。Anartist，therefore，asyoumustcandidlyconfess，cannotsculpturenuditywithapureheart，ifonlybecauseheiscompelledtostealguiltyglimpsesathiredmodels。

Themarbleinevitablylosesitschastityundersuchcircumstances。AnoldGreeksculptor，nodoubt，foundhismodelsintheopensunshine，andamongpureandprincelymaidens，andthusthenudestatuesofantiquityareasmodestasviolets，andsufficientlydrapedintheirownbeauty。ButasforMr。Gibson'scoloredVenuses(stained，Ibelieve，withtobaccojuice)，andallothernuditiesofto-day，Ireallydonotunderstandwhattheyhavetosaytothisgeneration，andwouldbegladtoseeasmanyheapsofquicklimeintheirstead。"

"Youaresevereupontheprofessorsofmyart，"saidKenyon，halfsmiling，halfseriously；"notthatyouarewhollywrong，either。Weareboundtoacceptdraperyofsomekind，andmakethebestofit。Butwhatarewetodo？Mustweadoptthecostumeofto-day，andcarve，forexample，aVenusinahoop-petticoat？"

"Thatwouldbeaboulder，indeed！"rejoinedMiriam，laughing。"Butthedifficultygoestoconfirmmeinmybeliefthat，exceptforportrait-busts，sculpturehasnolongerarighttoclaimanyplaceamonglivingarts。Ithaswroughtitselfout，andcomefairlytoanend。Thereisneveranewgroupnowadays；neverevensomuchasanewattitude。Greenough(Itakemyexamplesamongmenofmerit)imaginednothingnew；norCrawfordeither，exceptinthetailoringline。Therearenot，asyouwillown，morethanhalfadozenpositivelyoriginalstatuesorgroupsintheworld，andthesefewareofimmemorialantiquity。ApersonfamiliarwiththeVatican，theUffizziGallery，theNaplesGallery，andtheLouvre，willatoncereferanymodernproductiontoitsantiqueprototype；which，moreover，hadbeguntogetoutoffashion，eveninoldRomandays。"

"Praystop，Miriam，"criedKenyon，"orIshallflingawaythechiselforever！"

"Fairlyowntome，then，myfriend，"rejoinedMiriam，whosedisturbedmindfoundacertainreliefinthisdeclamation，"thatyousculptorsare，ofnecessity，thegreatestplagiaristsintheworld。"

"Idonotownit，"saidKenyon，"yetcannotutterlycontradictyou，asregardstheactualstateoftheart。ButaslongastheCarraraquarriesstillyieldpureblocks，andwhilemyowncountryhasmarblemountains，probablyasfineinquality，Ishallsteadfastlybelievethatfuturesculptorswillrevivethisnoblestofthebeautifularts，andpeopletheworldwithnewshapesofdelicategraceandmassivegrandeur。Perhaps，"

headded，smiling，"mankindwillconsenttowearamoremanageablecostume；

or，atworst，wesculptorsshallgettheskilltomakebroadclothtransparent，andrenderamajestichumancharactervisiblethroughthecoatsandtrousersofthepresentday。"

"Beitso！"saidMiriam；"youarepastmycounsel。Showmetheveiledfigure，which，Iamafraid，Ihavecriticisedbeforehand。Tomakeamends，Iaminthemoodtopraiseitnow。"

But，asKenyonwasabouttotaketheclothofftheclaymodel，shelaidherhandonhisarm。

"Tellmefirstwhatisthesubject，"saidshe，"forIhavesometimesincurredgreatdispleasurefrommembersofyourbrotherhoodbybeingtooobtusetopuzzleoutthepurportoftheirproductions。Itissodifficult，youknow，tocompressanddefineacharacterorstory，andmakeitpatentataglance，withinthenarrowscopeattainablebysculpture！Indeed，I

fancyitisstilltheordinaryhabitwithsculptors，firsttofinishtheirgroupofstatuary，——insuchdevelopmentastheparticularblockofmarblewillallow，——andthentochoosethesubject；asJohnofBolognadidwithhisRapeoftheSabines。Haveyoufollowedthatgoodexample？"

"No；mystatueisintendedforCleopatra，"repliedKenyon，alittledisturbedbyMiriam'sraillery。"Thespecialepochofherhistoryyoumustmakeoutforyourself。"

Hedrewawaythecloththathadservedtokeepthemoistureoftheclaymodelfrombeingexhaled。Thesittingfigureofawomanwasseen。ShewasdrapedfromheadtofootinacostumeminutelyandscrupulouslystudiedfromthatofancientEgypt，asrevealedbythestrangesculptureofthatcountry，itscoins，drawings，paintedmummy-cases，andwhateverothertokenshavebeendugoutofitspyramids，graves，andcatacombs。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读